Environmental Ethics, Emerging Contaminants, and Emerging Technologies

New Doctoral Training Program at Brown University


Brown University’s Department of Sociology seeks applications from students who want to study ethical issues concerning emerging contaminants and technologies. Applicants will most likely be students with a general interest in one or more of: environmental sociology, medical sociology, and science studies. This new Research Training Program, “New Directions in Environmental Ethics: Emerging Contaminants, Emerging Technologies, and Beyond,” funded by NSF’s STS Program, will also fund a Postdoctoral Fellow. The Training Program synthesizes three areas on the cutting edge of STS research: 1) emerging contaminants and technologies, 2) public participation in science, and 3) reflexive research ethics. These areas are tied together by a commitment to developing and implementing research and methods that make science and technological innovation more accountable and responsive to public needs and wellbeing. Students will participate in the Contested Illnesses Research Group led by Dr. Phil Brown, a long-standing research group with many funded projects, which includes 2 faculty, 3 postdocs, and 6 graduate students. Students will also be involved with the Program in Science and Technology Studies, including its many seminar and colloquium speakers. Training grant recipients will have dedicated courses and seminar series, opportunities for collaboration on existing research, and opportunities to develop new research. A laboratory and community component will provide for the Trainees to observe scientific practices and public engagement, and to connect with scientists and social movement leaders, by visiting laboratories and community-based organizations.

Brown University has a very strong environmental health presence, including a Superfund Research Program, Children’s Environmental Health Center, and National Children’s Study. The STS Program has grown substantially in recent years, offering exciting learning opportunities. The Contested Illnesses Research Group maintains many relationships with research organizations and community groups. Trainees will have a unique opportunity to develop STS theoretical approaches and research directions for the study of emerging science, health social movements, public participation in science, and research ethics.



Applicants will need to meet the Department of Sociology’s criteria for admission, and will complete all the same requirements as other doctoral students. Applicants should visit the Department of Sociology website for details – http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Sociology/graduate/. All students accepted to the Department of Sociology get 5 years of funding as long as they make expected progress, with the first year typically being a University Fellowship and the next four years being a combination of research assistantships and teaching assistantships. Trainees in the Environmental Ethics, Emerging Contaminants, and Emerging Technologies Program get up to three of their funded years supported by the Training Program and thus will not need to be research assistants or teaching assistants in those years. There will be options for combining support from research assistantships and teaching assistantships for those who wish that experience.Trainees also get additional summer funding, and some research travel funds.

For additional information write: phil_brown@brown.edu. Prior contact before the application is encouraged. Applications should be sent to the Brown University Graduate School. In addition, applicants should send a CV and a cover letter describing their interests in, and qualifications for, the Training Program.